"I don't like winter," said the 40-year-old, who served her time in Bangkok's Lard Yao prison and adapted to the humid Thai climate.
In Drug Muled, 16 Years in a Thai Prison: The Vanessa Goosen Story, Goosen documents her darkest hours, from being caught for trafficking drugs and her child's birth to life in prison.
She recalls her daughter walking and talking for the first time as one of her happiest memories, but the joy was short-lived - her child was taken to South Africa at three years of age.
That marked an emotional turning point for Goosen. In her book, which was penned by Joanne Joseph, she recounts: "Her screaming becomes softer and dies away . the one source of my life, my breath, my reason to live, is gone."
She promises her daughter "Mommy will be back soon, Felicia", but "soon" is 16 years later.
Felicia is now an 18-year-old young woman.
"It is a challenge, we don't really know each other . we are still working on, and building, our relationship," Goosen said.
Goosen, who insists that she was innocent, said she was duped into carrying books that were found to contain 1.7kg of heroin.
"I do not know the truth up until this day. I realised that the more I try to find out, the more painful it is for me.
"I need to come to terms with what has happened and know that I have survived it . but if I could only hear the words 'I am sorry'," she said.
Since her release from prison on October 30 2010, her biggest challenge has been rebuilding her shattered life.
"When people look at me, they see a normal person in society. But when I look in the mirror, I struggle with simple things. I have small fears that make me feel alienated. In my own mind, I am sometimes lost," she confessed.
Though some thank her for sharing her story, others criticise her and believe she was guilty.
"Drugs destroy people, children and families. I don't dispute people's opinions. I just want to warn and help people," she said.
"My family background has shaped me into a person who wants to deaden other people's pain."
That remains true because Goosen now gives inspirational talks to people.
She hopes to study.
"I would really like to put those years behind me and achieve something for myself."
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